Cover cropping is a farming practice in which non-harvested crops are grown primarily to protect and improve the soil between main cash crops. These cover crops—such as rye, clover, legumes, and oats—are planted after harvest or during gaps in the rotation and are not meant for sale. The main goals are to reduce soil erosion, build soil organic matter, improve soil structure, enhance moisture retention, suppress weeds, and support soil biology and nutrient cycling. Key points to know

• Purpose: Protect soil, improve fertility, and support a healthier soil ecosystem rather than produce a harvestable crop.
• Common species: Rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, oats, radishes, and mustards are frequently used, chosen for traits like early growth, fast ground cover, deep rooting, or nitrogen-fixing ability.
• Benefits: Reduced erosion, increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure, enhanced nutrient cycling, weed suppression, and sometimes moisture conservation.
• How it’s used: Planted in fall, winter, or between cash crops; managed through timing of termination (mowing, rolling, mowing-and-terminating, or incorporating into the soil) and sometimes shallow tillage or roller-crimping to create a mulch layer.
• Trade-offs: Requires careful planning to avoid competition with the next cash crop, potential cost of seeds and termination, and adjustments to harvest schedules or residue management.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific climate or cropping system (e.g., corn-soy rotation in the U.S., or Mediterranean vegetables) and suggest example species, seeding rates, and termination methods.